Volunteers helping to provide shelter, transportation and more to Ukrainians forced from their homes
March 17, 2022
KANSAS CITY, Mo.— As the world continues to watch Russia invade Ukraine, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA, www.fca.org) is providing shelter and aid to FCA’s Ukrainian staff in ways that nobody could have predicted.
Prior to the Russian invasion, 14 FCA Ukraine staff members were in the United States for the FCA worldwide staff conference in Texas at the end of February 2022. The FCA leadership team in Kansas City, where FCA’s National Support Center is located, was able to help 16 family members flee Ukraine and come to America to unite with their FCA Ukraine family members. As a result, these 30 people are now safe as war rages on in Ukraine and may likely reside in the U.S. for a minimum of six months.
FCA CEO and President Shane Williamson commented, “Our thoughts and prayers extend to our FCA team, their families, and the entire nation of Ukraine. As the world watches the inconceivable and senseless act of aggression in the invasion of Ukraine, may the followers of Jesus commit to be more motivated than ever to the Gospel. These types of aggressions spotlight the depravity that humanity can reach when sin has fully grown and gives birth to death. (James 1:15)
“This is a complete separation from what is right and good, the value of life, and the inalienable right for freedom. We are asking God to deliver Ukraine from evil. May He have mercy and heal this land. May He give Ukraine peace and the chance to develop as a nation that values truth, justice, and freedom, rooted in the goodness of God.”
Divisional Vice President of FCA North Global Andriy Kravtsov stated, “We thank you for praying and standing with us during this time. We are not alone—we know that God created the Church, and the Church is a body that continually serves its members. Even today, I got a message from one of our staff members, and he could not believe how the people are serving all the Ukrainians who have been displaced. God is moving, and His Gospel is continuing to be proclaimed.”
FCA’s ministry seeks to support coaches and athletes in their walk with God all around the world, including Ukraine. Through FCA, over 1,500 Bibles have been delivered to Ukrainian refugee camps in Poland to bring the light of Christ into the darkness of this crisis. FCA’s aim is to ultimately reach 80,000 coaches in Ukraine with the Gospel through FCA Huddles, Bibles, or other means.
For more information on how to help those affected, please view FCA’s Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund.
FCA’s theme for 2022 is Every, based on Ephesians 1:3: “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.” FCAreminds Christian coaches and athletes that they already have everything they need in Christ and encourages them to seek Him both on and off the field.
After extensive growth, FCA has reached millions of people with the Gospel. View a timeline of FCA’s 68-year history here, including videos, quotes, articles, leader profiles, Camp themes, photos and more.
Read more about Fellowship of Christian Athletes here, visit FCA’s website at www.fca.org, its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TheFCATeam or its Twitter feed https://twitter.com/TheFCATeam.
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